Ashlynn regained the relative sanctuary of her own room. Now that she was alone, anger quickly cooled leaving her feeling only weary and disconsolate. She should not have let him provoke her but somehow she had been unable to help herself. He was so confoundedly arrogant! Her response had been as much a defensive reflex as anything. Of all the possible beginnings to marriage this surely must rank as one of the most disastrous.
She shivered. In her absence the fire had burned down in the hearth and the room was growing chill for the servants had understandably assumed she would be spending the night elsewhere. Stripping to her chemise she climbed quickly into bed, burrowing under the furs for warmth. Lying there alone in the darkness she could hear the wind against the shutters, a lonely, desolate sound—as desolate as her own heart. In spite of fatigue it was a long time before sleep eventually claimed her.
Chapter Six
When she awoke next day it was to see bars of grey light through the shutters. By their pale illumination the details of the strange room came slowly into focus and with them the recollection of her predicament. She shivered. Raising herself on one elbow she glanced across at the hearth but the fire was reduced to a heap of ash. The room was freezing now.
Ashlynn slipped from the bed and struggled into her clothes as fast as possible. Then she splashed water on her face and dragged a comb through her hair. She had just finished when Morag appeared with a platter of food which she set down on the table. Her glance went to the bed across the room and though she made no comment her expression was curious. However, nothing could have been more courteous than her tone.
‘Lord Iain sends his compliments, my lady, and says he will attend you presently.’
Ashlynn felt her heart sink. Now what? She had no desire to see him at all but in truth no way to prevent it.
‘Very well. In the meantime, please remake the fire and see that it remains lit. This room is like a tomb. It will take several days to take the chill off the air.’
As Morag bustled about Ashlynn turned her attention to the food, wondering how to comport herself in the forthcoming interview. Though neither of them had sought it they were both trapped in this marriage. Anger and resentment were pointless now. Somehow this must be faced. Besides, she knew from experience that it was worse than useless to get angry with him, and she had need of every ounce of composure she could summon.
* * *
However, when Iain appeared a short time later he made no allusion to what had passed before. Nor did he comment on her pallor or the shadows beneath her eyes even though he missed none of it. In truth it touched him more than he expected. He also seemed to recall that his words last evening had scarcely been calculated to win her over. With hindsight they seemed at best to suggest indifference, something he had not intended at all. Ashlynn’s wit was quick and sharp and she was becoming adept at finding the chinks in his armour. Even so, he shouldn’t have retaliated in that way. Adopting a rather gentler tone he bade her a good morning.
‘If you wish it, Ashlynn, I will show you Dark Mount. It is your home now and you should become acquainted with it.’
She forced back the immediate urge to refuse, acknowledging the truth of his words. This was her home now, whether she wanted it or not. It would have been foolish to reject the offer. In any case curiosity overrode apprehension.
She nodded acquiescence. ‘As you wish.’
‘Come then, lass.’
* * *
They spent the next hour on a leisurely tour. Dark Mount was bigger than she had first thought and complete with storehouses, stables, smithy and workshops. From time to time they stopped so that he could introduce her to some of his people. She made a point too of remembering names and speaking to those whom she encountered, if only briefly. It was too soon to know if she would ever be fully accepted here but clearly it would be as well to get off on the right foot.
She was also conscious of having angered his men by her earlier misguided attempt to escape en route to Jedburgh. It had been foolish in the extreme and she greatly regretted the matter now. No doubt the story had been related round many firesides already. She would not cause his people to hold an even poorer opinion of her behaviour. They were courteous enough and eyed her with frank curiosity, but she knew they were reserving judgement until they should know her better. She could not find it in herself to blame them. Perhaps in their place she’d have done the same. In the meantime she took care to behave to everyone with becoming courtesy and a pleasant word or smile at least. Iain, observing, said nothing, but her manner towards his people pleased him and he saw the guarded approval in their eyes.
Although she was quiet at first Ashlynn began to relax a little as time went on, and, as they walked and explored, he realised he had an attentive companion. She asked intelligent questions and listened to the answers. She was quick of apprehension and he had but to tell her something once for her to remember it. It reaffirmed his view that the pretty face concealed a sharp mind.